If you're getting alimony, that's taxable income. If you're paying alimony, it's an adjustment to your income. Make sure you have the correct amounts in either case.

If you got distributions from retirement accounts, depending on the type of plan it could be taxable. Double check retiree income statements for your IRAs and Social Security benefits.

If you're still contributing to your retirement plan, is any of it deductible? Have your statement of these amounts to help you decide.

Schedule A specifics: If you itemize deductions, in order to complete Schedule A these are the records and receipts you'll need:

Homeowners have that 1098 handy for the deductible mortgage interest amount you paid. It also might show any property tax payments that you also can itemize. You'll also want to find the statement for any Interest paid on a home equity loan or home equity line of credit. It's deductible, too, in most cases.

Records of your medical and dental expenses. This includes drugs, doctor office visit payments, dental care costs, hospital bills, medical insurance premiums as long as they aren't paid at work via pretax dollars, long-term care insurance premiums and the mileage to and from physicians' offices. Every dollar counts now that you must exceed 10 percent of your adjusted gross income before you can claim these costs on Schedule A.

Other taxes you paid are deductible. This includes state and local income or sales taxes, real estate taxes and personal property taxes. When it comes to sales tax write-offs, major purchases such as a car can be added to the standard state and local tax amount for your state.

Other numbers you'll need: Finally, if you e-filed last year, find the personal identification number (PIN) you used. You'll need it or to verify your identity so you can electronically submit your return again this year. If you don't have it, you can use the IRS' PIN retrieval tool.

If you want your refund directly deposited, make sure you have the correct account numbers and financial institution routing number.

The account number shouldn't be a problem, but sometimes banks use different routing numbers for tax refund deposits. It's not always the same as shown on your checks, so double check with your bank for the correct digit string.

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Weekly Tax Tip

Back-to-school tax holidays are back -- It's a late summer perennial, states offering shoppers special days to buy tax-free clothing, computers and classroom supplies. This year 17, and maybe 18 soon, will hold the sales tax holiday weekends or longer. The events save families a few bucks if they follow all the rules. (July 29, 2015)

You also can get a refresher of the Daily Tax Tips posted earlier this year on their respective filing season monthly pages: January, February, March and April.

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Counting Down to Tax Day

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Time for Tax Tasks

July 1: This is the day on which many states' new laws take effect. This year, gasoline taxes are getting a lot of attention. While federal lawmakers refuse to hike the excise tax that Uncle Sam collects on fuel, some state lawmakers are not nearly so reluctant. Seven states increased their gas and/or diesel excise taxes today. They are California, Georgia, Idaho, Maryland, Nebraska, Rhode Island and Vermont.

July 4: Happy 239th Birthday, America! Most of us will never be totally independent of taxes, but we can celebrate fewer tax hassles.

A tax professional can help you get your tax life in shape, whether it's taking steps to lower your 2015 bill or file that 2014 return that's due by the extended Oct. 15 deadline.

July 10: Do you get tips as part of your job? If so and you received gratuities totally $20 or more in June, use Form 4070 to report them today to your employer.

July 14: The 2015 Atlantic/Gulf of Mexico hurricane season has been relatively tame, with just two named storms (Ana and Bill) so far. But we can't get complacent. Hurricane season, being ticked off on the countdown clock below, can ramp up quickly and will officially continue through Nov. 30.

To prepare for a tropical storm's landfall or the associated rain, flooding and tornadoes that accompany them, check out the ol' blog's special Natural Disasters Resources page. It has physical and financial preparation tips.

July 17: Ah, summertime and the living is easy … as long as you have a great day camp where you can send your kids. Working parents can use the day camp's costs to help claim the child and dependent care credit.

July 21: For older youngsters, getting a summer job is a rite of passage. It's a great way for them to earn some spending money -- or sock away a bit for coming college costs --- and learn life-long financial responsibility lessons. They'll also get schooled on the role of taxes taken out of their paychecks.

July 24: In addition to putting some summer job earnings toward college savings, your young employee can start building a retirement nest egg by opening a Roth IRA.

July 31: Now that we're into the last half of 2015, it's a good time to make some midyear tax moves that can help reduce your coming tax bill, such as evaluating your portfolio for losing stocks that can offset any gains and making deductible donations to your favorite charity.

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Taxes are all about the numbers. Check out these (mostly) weekly By the Numbers figures.

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I gotta tell ya ...

AKA Disclaimer:

I am a professional journalist who has been covering tax issues since 1999. I am not a professional tax preparer. The content on Don't Mess With Taxes is my personal opinion based on my study and understanding of tax laws, policies and regulations. It’s provided for your private, noncommercial, educational and informational purposes only. It’s not a recommendation of any specific tax action(s) you should take. Similarly, mentions of products or services are not endorsements. In other words, my ramblings on the ol' blog are free advice and you know what they say about getting what you pay for. That's why when it comes to filing your taxes, I urge you to get additional, professional, paid-for guidance from an accountant, Enrolled Agent or other qualified tax professional who is familiar with your individual tax circumstances.

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Keep Uncle Sam cranky!

It's no wonder Uncle Sam is not very happy here. His vault is empty. Don't Mess With Taxes aims to keep him cranky by providing tax and personal finance tips and advice that will put more money in your bank account, not the government treasury.

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